Padres surrender six stolen bases in loss to D-backs

AP

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Diego Padres have clocked a time of 1.9 seconds for Clayton Richards' pitch to get to home plate. That wasn't fast enough to keep Arizona runners from stealing bases — repeatedly.

The Diamondbacks stole six bases, including a franchise record-tying four in a five-run first inning and went on to beat the Padres 9-5 Saturday night.

"That's something were I have to do a better job of shutting it down," Richard said. "That's on me, not getting that job done. It cost us. That's definitely on me."

Richard (3-4) gave up four earned runs and six hits with four walks in 4 1/3 innings for the Padres.

"His last couple of times out, he hasn't had quite the sink he had before," Padres manager Andy Green said. "Obviously not the way he wanted to end the season, but overall he's been outstanding. The sinker has been good. He has a lot to be proud of."

Yasmany Tomas hit a three-run homer in the first, and Paul Goldschmidt had a career-high three steals and became the sixth first baseman in major league history to reach 30 in a season, the first since Jeff Bagwell had 31 in 1997.

"Anytime you're able to do that, steal those bases, it frustrates the other team. It frustrates the pitcher, the catcher, the manager, the guy giving the signs, it's frustrating because you work so hard for those things not to happen," Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said.

Arizona starter Archie Bradley (8-9) struck out a career high 11 in seven innings and turned in a standout defensive play to end the top of the fifth when he flagged down a ball hit off his glove, picked it up and threw out Yangervis Solarte while falling toward third base.

The Diamondbacks have won the first two games of this series to pull into a tie with the Padres for fourth place in the NL West heading into Sunday's season finale.

Three San Diego errors, a wild pitch and a passed ball aided the Diamondbacks, who have won three of four. Two runs had already scored in the first — on a passed ball and a single by Brandon Drury — when Tomas took Richard deep for his 31st home run.

Goldschmidt scored after stealing second and third in the fifth, racing home on a missed catch by Solarte. Mitch Haniger homered in the eighth, and Jean Segura was 2 for 3 and scored three runs.

Carlos Asuaje, Wil Myers, Derek Norris, Hunter Renfroe and Solarte each drove in a run for San Diego. Renfroe just missed his fourth home run of the week when he doubled off the top of the right-field fence in the eighth off the Diamondbacks' Zack Godley.

The Padres scored three runs in the inning.

PAYING A VISIT

Green visited with players and staff from the team's instructional league at spring training headquarters in nearby Peoria, Arizona, before Saturdays's game. He watched batting practice and a couple of innings of a game.

"They're all hungry there, there's a ton of energy there," Green said. "The more time you spend around those guys, the more you appreciate them and the more you get to know them. They all have unique stories and some of them are going to be real special in a Padres uniform someday."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: INF Jemile Weeks had his hamstring re-evaluated by noted sports physician Dr. James Andrews, and it was determined surgery was not the best option. ... C-OF Christian Bethancourt (strained intercostal) is being looked at as a pitcher and threw a bullpen session at the Padres' Arizona facility Saturday.

Diamondbacks: C Welington Castillo was given a day off from catching in favor of youngster Oscar Hernandez. Hale said Castillo has a sore shoulder from taking some bumps and foul tips, but that Castillo could be back in on Sunday. ... Tomas returned to the lineup despite upper back soreness. ... Sunday's scheduled starter, Matt Koch, is dealing with a blister. "If he gets to 85 pitches, we'll be happy," Hale said.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Paul Clemens (4-5) is set for the season finale. He's allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of 11 starts as a Padre this season.